In today’s fast-changing world, individuals with many interests—often called multipotentialites—may struggle to define a clear path forward. Traditional career models reward specialization and linear progress. But what happens when your mind doesn’t work that way?
Research suggests that being multipassionate is not a liability but a strength, particularly when integrated with clarity about your core values and aspirations. This article explores what science says about multipotentiality, how passion and purpose differ, and how individuals can start structuring their path forward without reducing themselves to a single identity.
What Is Multipotentiality?
The concept of multipotentiality refers to individuals who display aptitude and interest in multiple domains. Educational psychologist Barbara Kerr (2009) describes multipotentialites as “those who demonstrate high potential in multiple areas, rather than a strong, focused drive in a single field.”
These individuals may:
- Learn quickly across disciplines
- Synthesize complex, cross-domain ideas
- Show adaptability in dynamic environments
- Have one or more skills which are so easy and natural for you you don’t think it’s a skill. Ask people who are close to you for what they would turn to you.
Rather than indicating indecision, this versatility reflects a legitimate cognitive and motivational orientation. In a study published in Administrative Science Quarterly (Caza, Moss, & Vough, 2018), researchers explored how individuals with “polymathic identities” construct meaningful careers by integrating multiple roles and interests, rather than choosing between them.
2. Passion vs. Purpose: Clarifying the Difference
While often used interchangeably in popular language, passion and purpose have distinct psychological definitions.
Passion
- Describes strong emotions or enduring interest in a specific activity or field
- Is often intrinsically motivated (Vallerand et al., 2003)
- May or may not involve others
Purpose
- Is a long-term, meaningful direction in life
- Often includes a desire to contribute to something larger than oneself
- Can integrate or emerge from passions
According to William Damon (Stanford Center on Adolescence), purpose is defined as:
“A stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at once meaningful to the self and of consequence to the world beyond the self.”
Thus, purpose frequently—but not necessarily—has an outward-facing component, involving others or society at large.
3. Can Passion Turn Into Purpose?
Yes—but not always.
Some passions evolve into purpose when they are pursued consistently and linked to broader meaning or societal impact. Others remain personal and are valuable for psychological well-being, creativity, or emotional regulation.
Key variables influencing whether passion becomes purpose include:
- Social context (Dweck & Yeager, 2019)
- Exposure to meaningful experiences (Bronk, 2014)
- Motivational orientation (intrinsic vs. extrinsic)
A person might, for example, enjoy photography (passion) and later use that skill for human rights documentation (purpose). In contrast, another person may pursue photography solely for creative expression, without tying it to a larger goal—and both cases are valid.
4. The Role of External Expectations
Social expectations—such as career prestige, economic security, or the desire for admiration—can influence how individuals prioritize or suppress certain passions. These expectations often reward specialization and measurable success. As a result, many people feel tension between pursuing internal interests and meeting external standards.
This phenomenon is discussed in identity theory literature, especially in relation to “role expectations” and “self-concept clarity” (Campbell et al., 2003). External validation (e.g., admiration, recognition, approval) can affect how freely individuals explore multipotentiality.
From a coaching perspective, it is useful to:
- Become aware of internalised expectations
- Differentiate between intrinsic motivations and extrinsic pressures
- Strategically integrate what matters to them with what is recognised by others, if desired
5. A Practical Framework for Finding Direction as a Multipotentialite
Here is a science-informed, non-prescriptive step plan that can guide individuals with multiple interests toward constructing a more integrated and purposeful life.
Step 1: Map Your Current Interests
Create a list of current interests without categorising them as useful or serious. Use divergent thinking. Ask people close to you what they would turn to you for.
Tool: Interest inventory, journaling, mind mapping.
Step 2: Look for Repeating Themes or Values
Identify underlying values or motivations (e.g., curiosity, freedom, justice, beauty). This helps form a basis for self-concept clarity.
Tool: Values clarification exercises (e.g., Schwartz Value Survey).
Step 3: Evaluate Internal vs. External Motivations
Ask for each passion: Is this something I do for myself, or does it serve a need for approval or success?
Tool: Self-Determination Theory assessments (Deci & Ryan, 1985).
Step 4: Identify Potential Integration Points
Rather than narrowing down, look for hybrid options or frameworks that allow for integration. For example:
- Interdisciplinary roles
- Project-based freelancing
- Social entrepreneurship
Reference: “Identity Work in a Hybrid Career” (Caza et al., 2018).
Step 5: Prototype and Iterate
Treat identity exploration as a design process. Run low-risk experiments (e.g., courses, volunteer work, side projects) to test alignment.
Tool: Design Thinking model (Stanford d.school).
Step 6: Define Your Own Success Criteria
Use personal metrics—not just external validation—to assess meaning and satisfaction. Change how you look at yourself and what you do, and what you see will change.
Tool: Reflective journaling, coaching dialogues, feedback loops.
Conclusion
Multipotentiality is not a barrier to purpose—it can be a gateway. When individuals explore their passions with awareness and use frameworks that allow for flexible synthesis, they are more likely to create lives that are both personally fulfilling and socially impactful.
As a coach I help clients gain enough structure to move forward without sacrificing who they are.
References
- Caza, B. B., Moss, S., & Vough, H. (2018). From Synchronizing Identities to Coordinating Roles: How Identity Work Enables Hybrid Career Construction. Administrative Science Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/0001839217733972
- Damon, W. (2008). The Path to Purpose: How Young People Find Their Calling in Life.
- Vallerand, R. J. et al. (2003). Les passions de l’âme: On obsessive and harmonious passion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
- Campbell, J. D., et al. (2003). Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior.
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